Army chief reviews security along China border

Kolkata: Operational preparedness of troops deployed along the border with China and security situation in the northeastern states was reviewed by Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh here on Sunday.

"Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag briefed the Army Chief on the operational preparedness and the security scenario in the eastern region," defence spokesperson Group Capt TK Singha said here.

The Eastern Command of the Army is in-charge of securing the region east of Kolkata up to Arunachal Pradesh covering India`s boundary with China.

India is upgrading its defence preparedness along the eastern boundary by raising more troops, new formations and deploying more lethal assets such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

This was Gen Singh`s maiden visit to the Fort William-based Command headquarter since taking over as Army Chief on May 31, this year.

The visit follows his earlier visits to the three Corps headquarters under Eastern Command based at Sukna, Dimapur and Tezpur in recent months.

"It is virtually a homecoming," said Gen Singh on arrival. Having commanded the Eastern Command for over two years, this is one formation that is very close to my heart," he said. As a mark of respect to former prime minister IK Gujral, who passed away on Friday, several planned social events were cancelled during the visit, the spokesperson said.

The Army Chief, who has so far addressed nearly 16,000 officers during his official visits to various formations and units across the country, including via video conferencing, addressed over 250 officers including lady officers, posted in and around Kolkata.

Sharing his vision to enhance operational effectiveness of the Army, he dwelt on some of the thrust areas that include effective fulfilment of the constitutional obligations and assigned roles, including force modernisation as per stipulated time lines.

"In my reckoning, unless these people are happy, the Army cannot be strong and happy. We cannot afford to ignore our ex-servicemen and `veer naris` (war widows)," he said, while delving on various measures initiated for their welfare.